Commas Save Lives!
Commas save lives! By Christina Zila, Textbroker Editor
We often hear that "commas don't matter" or "commas are a matter of preference."
Commas matter. Consider the difference a comma makes here:
Let's eat Grandma!
Let's eat, Grandma!
If you want Grandma to be seated with you at the table and not as the main course, you need the comma.
After looking for resources online, our editor Keira found that there were many grammar guides and rulebooks, but most of them use technical jargon to describe a pretty simple situation. She's developed a few easy-to-understand tips for you, which we'll share on an ongoing basis. Look for posts from Keira to help you with your commas and other grammar rules.
posted on 04/23/2010 - 04.44 | textbroker blog | comments: 21
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What a brilliant way to make a point! I look forward to Keira's blogs!added by: author Gabriella on 04/23/2010 - 07.52
I've often found that the difference between a good writer and a great writer can be discerned by how they weave different types of punctuation together. Almost as dangerous as leaving commas out is putting in too many commas - the written equivalent of inappropriate... pausing while you... are talking.added by: author Golfhaus on 04/23/2010 - 08.36
There was a great book published a few years ago called "Eats, Shoots and Leaves". The cover shows a picture of a giant panda holding a pistol. The book was first published in the UK and is written about British English, but it was so popular the book was later published in the US. Anyone wishing to be a professional writer should read it. The humor in it helps to cut through the dryness typical of grammar and punctuation guides.added by: author April on 04/23/2010 - 09.10
Oh, thank you! I need help with this and was feeling discouraged. I seem to write without having many issues for a while and then I have spurts where I cannot get it right. :-(
I look forward to learning easier ways to remember the comma rules. :-)
I was actually thinking about sending you a message and asking if you might have a class about commas. lol You read my mind!
Have a great weekend!
Mary-Anneadded by: author Maryanne on 04/23/2010 - 10.22
This is pretty good, can't wait to view more posts from Keira.added by: author TVChatten on 04/23/2010 - 11.11
I agree with the written equivalent of inappropriate pausing while you are talking. Some texts read as if the author went to the William Shatner school of elocution.added by: author p_grace on 04/23/2010 - 11.55
I rec'd a funny email on this topic. Commas can make a huge diff.!added by: author Ranee W on 04/24/2010 - 12.34
I'll meet your ""Let's eat Grandma" and raise it with "the woods are lovely, dark and deep." Along came a Frost anthology editor who decided a comma was missing. It became "the woods are lovely, dark, and deep." Two very different meanings.
I learned to read from a McGuffey's Reader, written before rules for punctuation were set. Mea culpa, mea culpa.
added by: author A-036940 on 04/24/2010 - 12.57
I know it's probably cheesy, but my favorite punctuation book is "Eats Shoots and Leaves" by Lynne Truss. When I taught elementary writing it was one of my absolute favorites, and I still get a kick out of it today!added by: author G.M.K. on 04/24/2010 - 01.52
British left waffles on Falkland Islands.
British left waffles, syrup, and plates on Falkland Islands.
Thanks, comma!added by: author KCarhart on 04/24/2010 - 04.22
Back in the 1960s, one of my high school students asked me to sign his yearbook. I remember writing, "To Dave,
Always high" (then an large and emphatic comma) "in my estimation."
That seemed more precise than "Always high in my estimation."added by: author A-036005 on 04/24/2010 - 06.48
i just listened to "grammar girl's quick and dirty tips for writers" recently on cd and i have to say it's a good one. i have issues with commas in particular so any help is good for me. i guess i wasn't listening in grammar class all those years ago.added by: author miss liz on 04/24/2010 - 07.39
It's even harder for me to place commas. I have what I like to call a Hillbilly accent. I have to be very careful that I don't write how I speak. So I will be watching closely for the books you mentioned and more from Ms Zila.added by: author Stormer on 04/24/2010 - 12.58
I applaud Textbroker for the upcoming series on commas. I seem to hit just the right stride in my writing, then hit the "comma" speed bump - either one where it's not needed or one missing.
Like any musical instrument, writing needs practice. For me, sometimes the comma is a flat note.
I'm definately looking forward to the punctuation series. I'll keep my eyes peeled.
Not many other companies would even consider offering free training to help their writers prosper.
Thank you!added by: author TGallagher on 04/24/2010 - 10.11
I think I've read dozens of snippets about the proper use of lay and lie, yet I just cannot wrap my brain around it. I'd love to see a blog topic that (lays?) (lies?) this riddle to rest.added by: author MandyMarj on 04/25/2010 - 09.27
I like it like that...simple, concise and sweet. Thank you for such helpful posts.added by: author Just Grimm on 05/17/2010 - 08.36
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